Category: Warmth / Shelter / Cooling

  • Coffee Briquettes – Free Heat (and Smells Good?)

    Coffee Briquettes – Free Heat (and Smells Good?)

    I’m not a coffee drinker, but I thought this was an interesting way to use something that most of us just toss in the garbage. And, yes, you can certainly compost coffee. But why not make use of it to heat your home? Honestly, I had no idea that adding coffee grounds would make homemade…

  • Winter Storms: What You Need for Snow and Ice Emergencies

    Winter Storms: What You Need for Snow and Ice Emergencies

    A few winters ago, a family living in a relatively mild climate assumed that their usual winter prep—mainly relying on space heaters and a thin stock of canned goods—would suffice for the season. But when a major winter storm hit their area, temperatures plummeted, and heavy snow caused widespread power outages. Their house quickly became…

  • This Heat is Ridiculous! 26 Ways to Stay Cool Now and During SHTF

    This Heat is Ridiculous! 26 Ways to Stay Cool Now and During SHTF

    If I said the heat here in the Midwest felt like a desert, my description would be generous because at least a desert heat is dry. Adding in constant 50% or more humidity makes it so much worse. I can absolutely say that as I get older the heat is no longer bearable, though I’m…

  • Portable Diesel Heater Superior to Propane?

    Portable Diesel Heater Superior to Propane?

    I watched this video last week and got to wondering if I should jump ship from my trusty Mr. Heater Buddy propane heater and try a portable diesel heater, instead. I’ll skip to about three minutes in where he starts talking about diesel heaters in the video below to save you time. That said, the…

  • Dog Booties for Winter Bug Out?

    Dog Booties for Winter Bug Out?

    In keeping with my “it’s ridiculously cold outside, this totally sucks” theme, I got to watching my dog lately as he goes about his business outside in the harsh cold. Here he is, by my bedroom door, whining and surely bored as I write this: His name is Hero. He’s a 1.5 year old Border…

  • Is “Better Than Nothing” Good Enough?

    Is “Better Than Nothing” Good Enough?

    The past week or so in the Midwest (I live in the Kansas City area) has ben ridiculous. The cold weather is something else, and I still can’t believe that so many people braved the dangerous windchill to go to the Chiefs football game. Some people seem to have no common sense. That said, I…

  • 5 Mr. Heater Buddy Hacks. And is it Really Safe to Use Indoors?

    5 Mr. Heater Buddy Hacks. And is it Really Safe to Use Indoors?

    I’ve only ever used my Mr. Heater Buddy for it’s intended purpose–for heat–so I was surprised to see ways that people not only make use of them for other survival needs, such as cooking, but ways that make it more efficient, including the use of heat powered stove fans to push more heat. If you’ve…

  • 24 Tricks to Staying Warm

    24 Tricks to Staying Warm

    My oldest son let me know about this Outdoor Boys YouTube channel, which features this man who lives in Alaska. He enjoys extreme winter survival, including building snow caves and all sorts of things. He even takes his family with him sometimes. That said, the following video shows two dozen ways that you, too, can…

  • Watch This Before Buying a Mr. Heater Propane Space Heater

    Watch This Before Buying a Mr. Heater Propane Space Heater

    Are you in the market for a new space heater? There are many choices out there, from cheap models to very expensive ones, but price doesn’t necessarily line up with expectations. Which should you buy? And if you’re a prepper, should you bother with the Mr. Heater propane heater that many of us, me included,…